Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter bottom and sides of a 13x9-inch baking dish and line with foil; butter foil.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt; whisk in oats until combined. In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together 1/2 cup butter and sugar until creamy, about 1 minute. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in 3/4 cup melted chocolate until combined. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually beat in flour mixture until combined; beat in peanuts and candy bar until combined. Dump the batter into the prepared dish and flatten evenly into one layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until set and golden brown around edges.

To make the popcorn layer, melt the additional 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; stir in peanut butter, corn syrup, and additional 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bring mixture to a simmer. Remove pan from heat and stir in peanut butter chips until melted; stir in popcorn until well combined, followed by chopped candy bar. Spread and pack popcorn over chocolate cookie layer.

Pipe or drizzle remaining melted chocolate on top of bars, then sprinkle and press M&M's into the surface. Cool completely before slicing into bars.

The bars look great. I should have done something like that with all our leftover candy, but I ended up pawning it off on the barista at my favorite coffee shop on Sunday. I wanted it out of the house.

Okay, so Ialways have about 10 pages up at once on my computer. A few minutes ago I was in the middle of working on a paper...then all of a sudden I hear "sexual healing." I was so confused for a min. so I clicked though all of my links and it was your blog with the song. haha call me immauture, naive, whatever--but that song always makes me laugh hysterically!

Those bars would be very popular, very quickly in my house!!! Love your photos. You guys make a very cute couple and I think Eric is better looking than Guy!!!! (I do like Guy though...ALWAYS watch Diners, Drive Ins and Dives.)

Completely awesome. The costumes, the guy, the relationship sponsors, and of course the recipe! I don't have any leftover candy (gasp) since I was out of town for the weekend, but I think I will rustle some up just to make some compost bars!